I Became the Strategist the Monarchs Obsess Over

Chapter 32

Tap, tap, tap.

An anxious sound echoed quietly within the camp. It was the sound of the Crown Prince's fingers repeatedly tapping a wooden table.

"Your Majesty."

"What is it! Has there been news from the Special Unit?"

Bang! The Crown Prince slammed the table as he stood up, but the subordinate's reply was different.

"It is time for your meal."

"..."

The Crown Prince sat back down and resumed tapping the table.

About five minutes later.

"Messenger!"

"What is it! Has there been news from the Special Unit?"

"Yes! Sir Charles Jean Rochefort's Special Unit achieved a great victory and has cut off the enemy's supply line!"

At that moment, the Crown Prince felt an indescribable joy. If the enemy's supply was severed, they would now retreat. This meant that the front lines, Seiz Castle and Crothea Castle, were practically his.

They had lost to an enemy that was only half their size. It had been an immense humiliation. But now, it was time to repay that humiliation.

"Everyone, listen! The enemy's supply line has been cut, leaving them in a state where they can hardly fight properly! Advance and annihilate the enemy! This is the revenge for the Imor River!"

At the Crown Prince's command, his subordinates began to move busily. Thus began the pursuit battle of Seiz Castle.

-----

What is the weakest army in the world?

An untrained army? No. An undisciplined army? Also no. The correct answer is an 'army whose supply line is cut.'

Untrained soldiers can always gain experience and become seasoned fighters. Discipline can change depending on the quality of the commanders.

However, the impact of supply on an army is clear. An army without food, with dulled weapons, and tattered armor becomes the weakest in the world. No matter how elite the soldiers are, the moment their supply is cut, their combat power plummets.

And such was the case for Duke Chronor's army. With their supply line severed by Charles, Duke Chronor's army's morale sank lower than ever.

Duke Chronor first divided his army into two. Five thousand under his command and five thousand led by Emilia. Emilia's five thousand were stationed at the rearguard to block the Crown Prince's forces, while the five thousand under his command were positioned at the front to push back Charles's forces, who had severed their supply line.

Charles and Juan's three thousand soldiers pretended to fight and retreat, only to target the rear of the retreating enemy again. This maneuver was later hailed as an artistic military operation by Leonia.

Emilia von Chronor's Special Unit suffered damage from the Crown Prince's army, while Karl von Chronor's main force was damaged by Charles Jean Rochefort's Special Unit. Both armies suffered double the losses, resulting in massive damage to the ducal army.

This battle, later called the 'Seiz Castle Retreat Battle,' was not regarded as a brilliant stratagem by the Crown Prince but rather a critical mistake by Duke Chronor. Additionally, Charles Jean Rochefort's sharp exploitation of this mistake earned him recognition, bringing his reputation into the spotlight.

Of the original fifteen thousand in Chronor's army, only five thousand remained when they returned to the North.

Riding this momentum, the Crown Prince captured several more fortresses in the North. Originally destined to lose these fortresses, the Crown Prince ended up gaining them instead.

After the battle ended, it is said that the Crown Prince wore a cheerful expression for months. And why not? Though he lost more than half his soldiers, he had kept the fortresses, maintaining his pride.

Ultimately, the evaluation of this war was as follows.

Duke Chronor was skilled in combat but ignorant when it came to managing a large army. This ignorance led to a significant mistake, which inflicted devastating losses on the Northern Army.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince managed to save face. Although he suffered a major defeat in battle, the capture of several fortresses allowed people to consider the war a victory of sorts. This was the public's assessment.

Despite losing soldiers, the acquisition of territory meant that the Crown Prince could recover his standing.

As for Duke Chronor? Having lost the soldiers of numerous nobles who had answered his call, his reputation in the North was irreparably damaged.

In feudal society, a leader's reputation was tantamount to national dignity. For Duke Chronor, hard times lay ahead. Winter was coming for the duke.

-----

"Speak your desire."

These were the first words the Crown Prince said after the Seiz Castle Retreat Battle ended.

"Charles Jean Rochefort. You have achieved great merit. I will reward you, so speak your desire. Is it wealth? Honor? Or perhaps you wish to marry the daughter of a ducal family?"

A marriage to the daughter of a ducal family. It was an extraordinary proposal, especially coming from the caste-conscious Crown Prince.

A marriage to the daughter of a ducal family. What did it signify? The answer was simple. The Crown Prince was essentially saying this: 'Charles, your only flaw is your origin, and I will fix that for you.'

By marrying the daughter of a ducal family, Charles would no longer have to endure whispers about his fallen provincial aristocracy origins, nor would his background hinder him from attaining important positions.

The ducal family would benefit from currying favor with the Crown Prince, and Charles would overcome his humble origins. So, what would the Crown Prince gain?

That was the issue. Why would the Crown Prince do this? A man who judged people by their birth was now elevating someone else's status. What was he aiming for? The answer was simple.

"Charles Jean Rochefort, become my vassal."

Exactly. That was it. The Crown Prince's shocking proposal was meant to tie Charles to his faction. By marrying him to the daughter of one of his confidants, Charles would be firmly bound to the Crown Prince's camp. But how would Charles respond?

"Your Majesty."

"Speak."

"I am simply grateful for your generous offer, but I am still a student. I wish to focus on my studies."

At those words, Liam's face lit up with joy. He was relieved that his position would not be threatened.

'I never even aimed for your position in the first place.'

Charles thought. He found it absurd that Liam was fighting a one-sided battle.

"Your intention is admirable, but joining immediately would be in your best interest. The reason Arcadia Academy students gain experience is ultimately to join our forces. I am opening that path for you earlier than others. What reason could you have to refuse such a generous offer?"

Honestly, the statement wasn't entirely wrong. Arcadia Academy was essentially a military school, and most students aimed to join the Crown Prince's camp, the strongest force. For Arcadia Academy students, the Crown Prince's camp was like the Ivy League or a major corporation.

But there was a flaw in this logic. The Crown Prince's faction was destined to collapse soon. Knowing this, there was no need to join it.

"Your Majesty, I am, of course, deeply grateful for your generous offer. However, my abilities are still lacking. I need more time to study."

"I will assign you a private tutor."

"I believe there is no place with better teachers than the Academy."

Even the Crown Prince couldn't argue against that. Arcadia Academy boasted instructors with proven records. Elite generals became professors, and retired top-tier diplomats also became professors. With top-class professionals teaching, there was no better place to study than Arcadia Academy.

"Very well. Then I shall wait until you graduate."

Sorry, but even then, I won't join your faction... Charles thought inwardly, while outwardly bowing his head.

-----

Regardless of whether Charles worked under the Crown Prince, he was rewarded for his contributions.

He received various goods totaling about ten thousand ducats. For reference, ten thousand ducats were enough to build a real fortress capable of housing thousands, not just a small stronghold.

For that amount, one could even purchase a mid-sized mercenary group—not just hire them, but literally buy them outright.

The monetary reward was great, but even greater was the recognition he gained.

Securing a retreat in the Imor River battle and cutting off the supply line during the Seiz Retreat Battle earned Charles consecutive accolades, making his name a subject of gossip among enthusiasts and well-known within the Academy.

After the vacation ended, on the carriage ride back to the Academy.

"Why are those people gathered over there?"

Charles asked, but the coachman only shook his head, seemingly unaware.

Then, as Charles's carriage passed by...

-Waaaaaah!!!

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

"W-what's going on?"

As Charles stammered in confusion.

-Charles! Charles! Charles!

Voices chanting Charles's name echoed from all directions.

Politically, it had been a war between the Crown Prince and Duke Chronor, but externally, it was a war against foreign enemies. In this war, where Charles had been a key figure in the victory, he had become a hero in the eyes of the people.